I would jump at this in a heartbeat - except Jacks' class is 6:30-7:45 and Bertie's class will probably be 7:30-8:45.

I absolutely agree about the Saturday class.

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Always loved, never forgotten, all our previous boys -

If it were me I'd probably do the Saturday class. At that age I'm not really teaching much formal obedience work. I put Flip in a Petsmart puppy class when he was 12 weeks. It was just to have him used to being around other dogs and working at that point. I didn't do half the stuff the instructor said (I told her that when we signed up for the class). If I wanted to do what they were working on, I did. If I didn't, then we just did our own thing during that time. When Flip was six months we signed up for a "real" intro to comp class.

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Jodie

AJ's Maiden By the Sea CDX RE (Annabel - retired)
Mud E Paws UDX OM2 RE OBHF (Conner - retired with 28 OTCH points)
Sunfire's Flying Head Over Heels UD BN RA (Flip)
And the odd one of the family - Colby Jack Teeter Smack CDX GO RA (Colby - Lhasa Apso)

I'm guessing you may be using the peanut butter because it worked successfully with your other dogs. When I asked about trying that our trainer said not to because it encouraged mouthing and chewing of the dumbbell. We were told to sit with the dog sitting in front of you to introduce the take and hold with a little encouragement with your hand on the muzzle if neccessary. Zoe caught on very quickly with no ear pinching. I was interested to see how quickly she picked it up compared to the dogs from non-retriever breeds.

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Zoe, Rockwall Nantucket Breeze, BN, CGC, Delta therapy dog
Zeke, our introduction to the world of Golden Retrievers

All my dogs were taught to retrieve by holding a treat against the dowel, on the side opposite of the dog. The dog will paw and lick and everything else to get the treat, and at some point they will try putting the dowel in their mouths, and that is when I release the treat and flick it into the mouth. As they catch on the food is pulled farther and farther away until it is gone, and dog knows to grab the dowel to earn a treat, even if treat isn't visible. I don't know what this kind of training is officially called, but I call it "lured shaping".

Once the dog has a solid retrieve I do go back and teach an ear pinch. So it's never used to teach my dog's how to retrieve, just that what they already know isn't optional.

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Jodie

AJ's Maiden By the Sea CDX RE (Annabel - retired)
Mud E Paws UDX OM2 RE OBHF (Conner - retired with 28 OTCH points)
Sunfire's Flying Head Over Heels UD BN RA (Flip)
And the odd one of the family - Colby Jack Teeter Smack CDX GO RA (Colby - Lhasa Apso)

I just went outside to work on weaves, she can do them straight now, not 100% of the time, but most of the time. The rest of the time is just a confidence thing. She has great footwork through the weaves!! It will not be long now!!

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Susan

UCD URO1 HighRoller Fast Track Filly CDX, RN, NA, NAJ, CGC
River Run Absolutely Riveting CDX, RE, CGC
UCD Hot Gold HankyPanky CDX RAE CGC (retired)





"Discipline is the bridge between goals and accomplishment." ~Jim Rohn

That's what I did with Jacks in the same class - though thankfully this was a LOT better than Petsmart (Olympic sized training floor by comparision ). I like the instructor too. She's not too pushy.

ETA - I just wound up letting my instructor know I'm getting Bertie into the Saturday classes as it will be best for both guys. If it weren't winter, I'd probably wing it with both classes on the same day.

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Always loved, never forgotten, all our previous boys -

I am exploring. For Brady. I personally do not like the cranked head position heeling style with the wierd front leg movement, but like a softer head with a natural prance.

So, I am spending some time working on baby basics (rear end awareness, confidence, baby agility, baby hunting etc) while I explore how I want to teach heeling - I know I want heeling in drive which Faelan does very prettily but I have been lax in precision for him. Towhee is precise and a lovely team member, but she doesn't really drive in obedience (in agility she does).

I am becoming a fan of online courses where you have assignments and submit video to the instructors for critiquing & review. I am looking at the Bridget Carlsen videos and love the drive but not the style, similar for Denise Fenzi whose training I absolutely adore. But again that head position is not what I am looking for; actually I cannot imagine it is remotely comfortable for the dog - looks like they are painting a ceiling which always leaves me with a stiff neck! My current method of training seems to lend itself to slight forging which is better than lagging, but still not quite right.

So I am exploring.. suggestions welcome

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Golden moments shared with
Casey, Faelan, Towhee & Brady too !

and forever in my heart, my golden Bridge boys
Rowdy & King

I would see what he can give you naturally, and go from there. I would also keep up with your rear end awareness exercises, to teach him how to shift his weight onto his rear, vs his forehand, and help build them muscles. Have you found videos of people on You Tube that you do like?

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Susan

UCD URO1 HighRoller Fast Track Filly CDX, RN, NA, NAJ, CGC
River Run Absolutely Riveting CDX, RE, CGC
UCD Hot Gold HankyPanky CDX RAE CGC (retired)





"Discipline is the bridge between goals and accomplishment." ~Jim Rohn

Titan & Michelle Zoom & Celeste Meade. That is the general style I love, attentive, happy and natural.

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Golden moments shared with
Casey, Faelan, Towhee & Brady too !

and forever in my heart, my golden Bridge boys
Rowdy & King

I honestly think you know more than you may think, and the natural style is something that you could achieve without all the fancy lessons. We learn more and more with each dog, and you can put that knowledge towards his training now, and start him off better.

p.s. I think a good strong handler/dog bond is the biggest thing when getting a dog to heel.

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Susan

UCD URO1 HighRoller Fast Track Filly CDX, RN, NA, NAJ, CGC
River Run Absolutely Riveting CDX, RE, CGC
UCD Hot Gold HankyPanky CDX RAE CGC (retired)





"Discipline is the bridge between goals and accomplishment." ~Jim Rohn